asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money allocated this year for archaeological survey; and where the major dig will be carried out.

The amount of money which will be expended on the archaeological survey this year will be in the region of £26,000. Expenditure on archaeological excavations to be financed by the Office of Public Works in the current year is expected to be about £90,000; the highest expenditure will be at Knowth tumulus National Monument, County Meath.

What is the position about the archaeological survey? How many counties have been done?

Eight.

What is the Minister's view of progress? What is the target for this year? I ask because the figure of £26,000 does not seem adequate for this important work.

I have no detailed information here. I should love to be Santa Claus every day of the year but I cannot be that until somebody puts more money into the sack.